Cleaning device



June 11, 1968 w. w. WESTPHAL CLEANING DEVICE Filed Sept. 9, 1965 INVENTOR.

Wm/ace M Wesrjafia/ United States Patent 3,387,312 CLEANING DEVICE Wallace W. Westphal, 2017 W. 92nd St., Leawood, Kans. 66206 Filed Sept. 9, 1965, Ser. No. 486,167 6 Claims. (Cl. 15-97) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A unitary cleaning and sanitizing device having a hemispheric scrubbing head at one end thereof. The device includes a motor and an interconnected gear train for actuating and oscillating the scrubbing head. A cleaning solution reservoir is an integral part of the device and includes a pump means and conduit structure for controllably dispensing the solution out through the cleaning head when desired.

This invention relates generally to a cleaning and sanitizing device and more particularly to an apparatus which may be carried by hand and operated without an independent source of cleaning solution.

My invention is adaptable for either use in private homes or in hotels, motels, kitchens, barber shops, beauty shops, and other places of public accommodation where it is always desirable to insure the occupants of clean, attractive and infection-free facilities.

An object of my invention is to provide simple and positive means for cleaning, polishing or sanitizing toilet facilities, bathtubs, shower stalls and adjacent tile walls while avoiding personal contact with the areas to be cleaned.

Another object of my invention is to provide a portable hand-operated apparatus of the type described which carries its own supply of cleaning solvent, the latter dispensable through a cleaning head.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive, electrically operated cleaning apparatus including an oscillating scrubbing head which may be periodically, and at the operators discretion, saturated with the cleaning solution carried within the apparatus housing.

A further object of the invention is to provide a safe work illuminating cleaning device of novel structure and function employing several separate rotary motion transmitting shafts of variable and detachable lengths, one of which is completely constructed of a dielectric material affording an insulation barrier between the scrubbing head and the electric motor supplying the energy for moving the scrubbing head.

Another object of the invention is to provide a versatile cleaning device which provides a novel cleaning head construction, the latter easily removable for replacement or cleaning of itself or, alternatively, coverable and usable with numerous types of removable cloth or like material coverings.

Another object of the invention is to provide a safe, simple, versatile cleaning device adapted to additionally disinfect or polish, having a unique cleaning head action, the latter powerful, fast acting and effective, the structure of the device and the cleaning head thereof readily capable of being applied to and reaching normally relatively inexcessible areas, regardless of whether they be flat, angled or curved surfaces.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the instant specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, an embodiment of the invention is shown and,

in the various views, like numerals are employed to indicate like parts.

FIG. 1 is a top elevational view of the inventive apparatus with the scrubbing head shown in cross section;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional side view of the lefthand portion of the device seen in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional side detail of the power linkage between the electric motor and the scrubbing head drive shafts;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the slotted end of the Geneva gear utilized in the power linkage of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view taken of the shaft engaging portion of the Geneva gear shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 7 is a detail of the slotted end of the Geneva gear engaging the drive pins shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6.

Referring now to the drawings, the subject cleaning apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a scrubbing head generally designated 10 which is removably mounted at the right-hand or forward end of the device in the indicated view. At the opposite end, in both FIGS. 1 and 2, is provided a pistol-grip handle 11 through which electric power cord 12 is threaded. Electricity supplied through cord 12 energizes conventional electric motor '13 from the usual v. 60 cycle AC supply.

Electric motor 13 drives power take-ofi shaft 14 in a clockwise direction when viewed from the handle end. Handle 14 has fan 15 mounted thereon which is appropriately pitched to circulate air from within the housing back over motor 13 for cooling purposes.

Shaft 14, through the gear train and linkage of FIG. 3, now to be described, powers the rotatable cleaning head 10. Shaft 14 drives spur gear 16 mounted thereon and in turn drives helical gear 17 affixed on idler shaft 18. Spur gear 19, also on idler shaft 18, drives a like diameter spur gear 20, fixed to idler shaft 21. Mounted on the righthand face of each of gears 19 and 20 in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a symmetrical set of three drive pins designated at 22 and 23, respectively. The pins of each set 22 and 23 are equally spaced from one another, there being a are between each successive pin of a set as best seen in FIG. 6. Pin sets 22 and 23 engage the slots 24 of Geneva drive head member 25. Geneva drive head 25 includes a slotted portion 25a and shaft engaging portion 25b. The entire head is driven in a sequentially timed relation so that, at all times, there is a positive oscillating drive force applied to the Geneva head.

To facilitate in applying the above-mentioned drive force, gears 19 and 20 are directly linked, with gear 19 rotating in a clockwise direction while gear 20 rotates counterclockwise. The direction of rotation of the gears may be reversed without departing from the inventive concept. The Geneva head shown in FIG. 4 includes a pair of slots 24 in the pin engaging portion 25a and which are oppositely oriented having between each slot. In order to impart an oscillating motion to Geneva head 25, the pins of each set are staggered so that one pin of alternate gears engages one slot at 60 intervals. When pin 22a reaches the position shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, it will be leaving its slot 24a, having thusly imparted a counterclockwise rotational force upon Geneva drive head 25. As pin 22a leaves slot 240, pin 23a simultaneously engages the directly opposite slot 24b, striking with its leading edge in such a manner as to impart a force causing Geneva head now to rotate in a clockwise direction. As seen in FIG. 7, pin 23a engages slot 241: until it moves 60 about its own axis whereupon pin 23a then leaves slot 24b as pin 22b, which has also moved a 60 are, simultaneously enters slot 24a heretofore vacated by pin 22a. Pin 22b then imparts the counterclockwise 3 resultant force of the pin set 22 to Geneva head 25, until the pin set 23 is operatively engaged, delivering an opposite resultant force to head 25. Thus an oscillatory effect is established with the Geneva gear head alternately oscillating clockwise and counterclockwise around its axis, moving 60 maximum in either direction.

The gear train and linkage shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 is mounted in a two-piece bearing housing 26a and 26b. The two-piece housing members are firmly secured together by the set of bolts shown in cross section at 27. The housing is suitably channeled to allow pin sets 22 and 23 to rotate therewithin and further rotatably receives Geneva gear head 25.

The oscillating Geneva head 25 is rigidly connected to flange 30 of hollow drive shaft 28 by a pair of locating pins 29 and six tie bolts (not shown) that extend through flange 30 engaging Geneva head 25. Locating pins 29 are positioned in holes 31 while the tie bolts threadably engage receiving holes 32 in Geneva head 25 as best seen in FIG. 6. Shaft 28 extends at length to flange 33 and firmly abuts against rubber coupling 34 separating the flanged end 35 of an intermediary plastic drive shaft 36. Flange 35 and rubber coupling 34 contain aligned holes allowing a series of six bolts 37 to extend therethrough and threadably engage six internally threaded openings within flange 33 forming a rigid connection. The rubber coupling 34 between shaft flanges 33 and 35 serves as a means to absorb physical shock and facilitates in the alignment of the two shafts. Both shafts 28 and 36 are mounted through a set of sealed lubricated bearings 38.

Plastic shaft 36 is affixed to hollow splined steel shaft 39 by sliding shaft 39 through a mating splined hole in shaft 36. Shaft 39 is circumscribed along its outer periphery, forward or to the right as seen in the views, of the splined connection by dielectric plastic covering or hollow tube 40. Shaft 39 and hollow tube 40 may be supplied in more than one length as pairs whereby one pair of length may be substituted for another as a particular use may dictate. Covering or tube 40 is in abutting relationship with plastic shaft 36 and is securely affixed thereto by an internally threaded bushing or collar 41. A Teflon seal 42 is positioned on plastic shaft 36 engaging the housing, discussed hereinafter, to preclude water from entering the same. The connection at collar 41 may be used as a breakdown point in disassembly for packing the device in a minimum length container.

The forward end of the outer periphery of plastic shaft 40 is externally threaded and securably engages a lock collar 43 which serves to connect splined hollow steel coupling 44. Coupling 44 is externally threaded and has the aluminum brush mounting flange 45 securely fastened thereto by a pair of lock nuts 46. The cleaning or scrubbing head is constructed of sponge, sponge rubber, sponge plastic or other suitable absorbent and resilient or yieldable material, and yieldably engages the angled annular ends 45a of the flange in such a manner that it may be easily removed when a replacement or cleaning is deemed necessary.

In addition, several different types of head covers, elastically securable to or mountable over scrubbing head 10, may be selectively and individually placed over the scrubbing head. Numeral 65 is used to illustratively depict such a head cover. Same may be disposable and thus of cheap material such as chemically treated paper, very cheap cloth or the like. Alternatively, same may be washable and reusable. Such covers may be of fluid permeable material in case the sponge take-up action of member 10 is desired or passage of fluid outwardly therethrough from member 10 is desired. Alternatively, same may be fluid repellent whereby only the resilient yielding action of head 10 is achieved without same being contaminated by fluid passing through the covering. The covering may have bristles, brushes, knobs, attachments, etc. of various sorts attached thereto for various cleaning, abrading or polishing purposes. Such head covers may comprise merely a l pouch of the internal shape like that of head member 10 with an elastic gathering or drawstring at an opening through which protrudes shaft 40.

The unitary device is designed to be enclosed within a Bakelite, plastic or similar type material case comprising the three main sections 48, 49 and 50. These sections are constructed in halves and both the halves and the sections are bolted together with waterproof gaskets installed between each matching half and section. The device is easily assembled and may be broken down for transportation or packaging.

Housing section 48 comprises the pistol-grip handle at the left or rearward end of the unitary device as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This section is firmly bolted to center section 49 by bolts 48a. Center section 49 is contoured to encase a liquid soap reservoir, the electric motor and fan combination, the gear linkage, and extends to the rear or left hand portion of rubber coupling 34 which separates shaft 28 from shaft 36, best seen in FIG. 2. Center section 49 is bolted to forward section 50 at 51 by bolts 51a. Forward section 50 encases the forward half of rubber coupling 34, plastic shaft 36 and extends to and engages Teflon seal -42, forming a watertight and integral housing from the pistol grip to and in sealed contact with plastic shaft 40.

The liquid soap reservoir generally shown at 52, includes a removable cap 53 to allow refilling whenever necessary. The reservoir may contain a transparent viewport in the side thereof so as to give a visual indication of the liquid level therein. A watertight conduit 54 extends from pistol-grip handle 11 through reservoir 52, allowing electric cord 12 to be threaded in moisture free confines. A conventional primer pump 55 is located interiorly of reservoir 52 and includes a spring biased actuator piston 56 extending therefrom. Intake end 57 of pump 55 extends to the lower and forward end of reservoir 52 and is so positioned that it will be submerged in the liquid when the apparatus is in its usual operating position (e.g., with the scrubber head lower than the pistol grip). The liquid cleaning solution will be drawn through a oneway valve associated with intake end 57 when the actuator piston is extended. When actuator piston 56 is depressed the intake valve seats and the liquid displacement causes a second valve to open, allowing the liquid solution to be dispensed into liquid flow channel 58. Liquid flow channel 58 may consist of independent tubing or be defined within the walls of the housing sections. Once the primer pump has been utilized and the channel 58 filled with the liquid cleaning solution, it will remain filled, needing only the additional application of actuator 56 to force the cleaning solution into inlet orifice 59 located within shaft 36. A pair of Teflon O-rings 60 locate the liquid within a ring circumscribing channel 58a in the forward end of shaft 36. As the inlet orifice 59 is a recess or channel in shaft 36, it necessarily is movable with the oscillating or vibrating of the shaft but will constantly maintain liquid contact with the circular loading area contained within O-rings 60. Channel 58a extends from the forward end of plastic shaft 36 through the hollow steel shaft 39 and through the steel spline coupling 44,- exiting through the opening 44a contacting the absorbent scrubber head 10. Outlet end 44a is in saturating relation with the scrubber head 10 and upon depressing actuator handle 56, the amount of liquid displaced by the primer pump piston will be delivered to the absorbent scrubber head.

The liquid soap reservoir 52 is molded to the motor, fan and gear linkage housing and is generally circular in cross section but varying in diameter. The forward part of the bearing housing 26 is firmly mounted against the forward edge of the housing 61 while electric motor 13 is secured upon motor mountings within a housing section of smaller diameter depicted at 62. The forward edge of housing 61 tapers at 63 and extends along the length of hollow shaft 28 where it is molded to form a larger coupling 64 including the connection or joint 51.

At 51a the forward section 50 is securely bolted to forward end of center section 49 including the necessary waterproof gaskets. This connection between sections 49 and 50 facilitates easy assembly of the rubber coupling 34 and plastic shaft 36. The forward section 50 then extends along shaft 36 and is molded to form an engaging lip at 62 which cooperates with Teflon seal 42 to further insure the Watertight housing.

In operation, the subject cleaning apparatus is grasped by pistol-grip handle 11, usually With the scrubber head at a lower elevation than the handle when being utilized in cleaning operations. The electric cord is plugged into suitable wall socket and the electric motor may be then energized by a conventional toggle switch (not shown). When the electric motor is energized, the gear linkage of FIG. 3 produces an oscillating motion to hollow shaft 28. Shaft 28 transmits its motion through coupling 34 and bolts 37 to the intermediate plastic shaft 36.

Shaft 36 in turn transmits the oscillation to the co-mbination steel shaft and plastic covering 39 and 4t}, respectively, and thus to steel spline coupling 44 and scrubber head It It should be pointed out that shaft 36 and covering 40 are both constructed of a dielectric material such as plastic and provide a safety feature against receiving a severe electrical shock when the apparatus is in use around a possible electrical conductor.

The particular shape of the unitary device, from pistol grip to the novel construction of the scrubber head, allows the operator to reach inaccessible areas which may have flat as well as curved surfaces. An accessory light 61a mounted on housing 61 and connected to lead-in wires 12 may be employed to direct a light beam toward the working head whereby to illuminate the work area if same is needed. An accessory switch for optional use of said light may also be provided (not shown). The hemispherically shaped scrubbing head is adaptable to clean or polish any shape toilet facility, plumbing fixtures, surrounding wall or floor and allows the operator to 118- creetly dispense an appropriate amount of cleaning solution through the absorbent scrubber head either before the application of the scrubber head to the surface being cleaned or during the actual cleaning operation so that the operator may perform the cleaning in a minimum amount of time and be assured of a completely thorough ob. J The particular construction of the device shown is largely schematic and for purposes of illustration. Same provides a typical clear, central and specific example of operable means to accomplish the devices of and purposes of the instant invention. In actual practice, the device preferably would be constructed with all parts minimized with respect to both weight and size and compacted with respect to one another as much as possible for easy handling by the user.

From the foregoing it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrated and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

' 1. A cleaning apparatus comprising a frame,

an electric motor mounted on said frame and serving as a source of power for the device,

a scrubbing head, said head being hemispheric in shape and having a rounded side and a non-rounded side, the non-rounded side forming an annular flexible lip extending inwardly thereof and engaging an annular mounting flange,

said motor transmitting a rotary motion to a pair of intermeshing gears, each gear having a set of three connecting pins spaced apart on a similar oriented face thereof, said pin sets alternately contacting and releasing a slotted Geneva gear head imparting an oscillating motion thereto, and

a shaft connecting said oscillating Geneva gear head to said annular mounting flange, thereby oscillating said scrubbing head.

2. The invention as in claim 1 wherein said shaft includes at least two separable and detachable links, one of said links being constructed of a dielectric material.

3. The cleaning device of claim 1 wherein said scrubbing head is covered with a removable head cover, said head cover constructed to assume the shape of said scrubbing head when attached to said scrubbing head.

4. The invention as in claim 1 including a cleaning solution reservoir, a pump operativcly located in said reservoir, a liquid solution transmitting conduit cooperating with said pump and operable to convey the liquid output from said pump, said conduit running the length of said shaft from said reservoir to said scrubbing head.

5. The invention as in claim 4 wherein said liquid solution transmitting conduit is partially located interiorly of a portion of said shaft, said shaft including three separable lengths, one of said lengths being covered with a dielectric material extending to and detachably connected with said scrubbing head, said dielectric covered lengths locating said conduit interiorly thereof and in a liquid contacting position with said scrubbing head.

6. The invention as in claim 5 wherein said device is partially enclosed within an elongate housing forming a handle at one end thereof, said housing extending from said handle to a detachable length of said shaft, said detachable shaft having a dielectric covering and threaded at both ends, said lengths connected at one end to said remaining shaft length and at the other end to said annular flange.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 678,967 7/1901 Mott 1529 1,625,792 4/1927 Carrington lS29 2,166,343 7/1939 Dirks 15-22 XR 3,028,614 4/ 1962 Bristow. 3,029,651 4/1962 Flatt l5--22 XR 3,240,077 3/ 1966 Smith 1522 XR CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner.

R. I. SMITH, Assistant Examiner. 

